When Jesus spoke about “hell” in the Bible, the word He really used in most cases was “Gehenna” (the Bible wasn’t originally written in English. Actually, the English word “hell” is a bad translation that probably shouldn’t be in the Bible at all). Gehenna, also known as the Valley of Hinnom, was actually a place outside Jerusalem where refuse and dead bodies were burned, a fitting picture of judgement. Here is a photograph of that valley today, the one Jesus used as a image of judgement with fires that would never be extinguished:

I find this to be a good reminder of just how everlasting “hell” will actually be. The burning garbage dump that Jesus used to warn people of impending judgement is now a pleasant area one might enjoy an afternoon picnic in. Gehenna reminds us that while judgement exists, and can even be harsh for a time, the end result will be positive.

Be sure to visit the site Photographs of Hell for more pictures of what “hell” looks like today.